Battery or Alternator?... No multimeter

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Z

Zednero

New Member
Posts
269
Location
Wiltshire - Southwick.
####ing car, died at work, and not sure if it's battery or alternator. Battery I bought beginning of year, I think, which makes me think it's not that. I have no battery light on dash, and when I go to start it, I can hear clicking. Belt makes a tiny bit of movement, and that's all. Oh and brake lights aren't working it seems?

Since work, i got it jumped again, took a lot longer before it'd start this time, with hard revs it'll all run (Electrics etc), with no revs, all electrical things cut out. Cd player, Rev counter, lights, everything.... Makes me think alternator?

Also, that black power module thing, behind fuses in engine bay was making a buzzing sound earlier too... Anymore info just ask :)

('94 300tdi)
 
Sounds like a mixture of alternator and bad earths perhaps too.

Buy a multimeter, they're cheap as hell. A fiver will get you one.

Stick it on yer terminals when the engine is and ain't running, you'll soon find out.

Another good check to do is to put yer headlights on and try and turn it over and see if they dim.
 
Umm, i'm not exactly within walking distance of a shop where i am, but might be able to see if a neighbour has one :)

And lights don't just dim, they switch off! Everything electrical does, below 2.5k revs.

Also, what voltage should it be running at?

Tried ruling out earthing, by using negative lead on clean part of chassis, makes no difference at all?

Appreciate advice btw!
 
Bad connections? Any suggestions as to where? Checked wires going through to bulkhead, all seem intact?

And it's just handy as should be able to reserve and pick it up within sorta 10 miles from me.

If i replace Alternator, is a battery change recommended too?
 
Will they give me a straight forward answer, on whether or not its ####ed?

Will it cost the earth, and finally, will they give me a jump to get me back home again? Haha! :pound:
 
So, I replaced alternator, all seems hunky doory apart from two things..... Brake lights don't appear to be working and the rear windows heating button is activating actuators, as I can hear them when I press it....... Any ideas?
 
Zednero said:
So, I replaced alternator, all seems hunky doory apart from two things..... Brake lights don't appear to be working and the rear windows heating button is activating actuators, as I can hear them when I press it....... Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean here buddy,

1. The brake lights don't work? Yes or no?

2. When you select the Heated Rear Window (HRW) button what, exactly, happens?

It sounds to me like you still have a faulty earth. The place I would suggest you check is the earth point in the engine bay on the drivers side inner wing just behind the battery. These get rusty and cease to function. Clean any rust and re-fit, then test. If in ANY doubt, take a temporary earth from the battery negative side to the wires attaching to the above earth point and test.

Good luck

Dave

PS Check the bottom on the handbrake - is it getting warm/hot?
 
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